Bad news for holidaymakers: the price of a British passport is going up again this week.
After years of hiking costs that have had a direct impact on travellers, the government has announced that new fees will come into place on Thursday, 10 April — and will see a variety of services provided by HM Passport Office put their prices up.
Across the board, prices will rise by 7%. In real terms, that means online passport applications for adults will climb to £94.50, while fees for children’s passports will rise to £61.50.
The move takes the total price rise in two years to 25 percent — more than twice the current rate of inflation.
In even bleaker news, it makes the UK passport one of the most expensive in Europe, putting it almost on par with Denmark (£100) and Italy (£97).
Alongside the price hike, Brits heading to EU countries, as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, are being urged to check their documents carefully.
UK passports must comply with strict entry rules, with a ‘date of issue’ that’s less than 10 years old when you arrive in the country, and an expiry date at least three months after the date you plan to leave.
Here’s everything you need to know about the passport price rise — including who should renew before 10 April.
How are people reacting?
Travellers have lashed out at the price hike on TikTok, with a man called Chris writing: ‘WHY IS EVERYTHING GOING UP EXCEPT WAGES …drives me insane.’
A woman named Naya added: ‘My daughter has a French passport and we are renewing for 17 euros, or £14. That’s a joke, we’ll keep the French passport then. My other daughter has a British passport and we will go for a French one for her now, too.’
Others said they haven’t been able to afford to renew their passports in recent years.
The price increase is the latest headache for Brits planning international trips. And, as experts tell Metro, it’s just another added expense that hits everyday people hardest.
‘Whether you’re a young person gearing up for your first adventure, or a family trying to sort passport renewals before the school holidays, this increase really lands at the worst time – especially with the cost of everything else still climbing,’ Jessie Chambers, senior travel expert at Global Work and Travel, says.
‘For young travellers, a passport is the starting point for any journey, and what should be a straightforward step suddenly feels like a financial obstacle.’
For families, it’s even harder. Jessie notes that passports often expire at the same time, so renewing one means renewing them all.
‘That can easily add up to hundreds of pounds in one hit,’ she says.
‘For many, it could be the difference between affording a break or having to cancel plans.’
Beyond individual cases, rocketing passport costs could change the face of travel as we know it.
‘If these costs keep rising, we’ll likely see fewer people able to afford trips abroad, and that could affect how many people from the UK choose (or are able) to travel in the years ahead,’ says Jessie.
She adds: ‘We shouldn’t be treating passports like a luxury item. When something so basic starts to feel out of reach, that’s a real issue.’
On the flip side, the rise could be good news for UK hotels and tourist businesses.
‘While the passport fee alone won’t likely deter international travel, these cumulative expenses following years of inflation may make European trips less accessible for budget-conscious families,’ Zoe Adjey, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, tells Metro.
‘A potential silver lining could be increased domestic tourism as some Britons reconsider foreign holidays due to these mounting costs and barriers.’
How much does it cost to get a UK passport currently?
- Adult online application: £88.50
- Child online application: £57.50
- Adult postal application: £100
- Child postal application: £69
- Premium 1-day rapid adult application: £207.50
- Premium 1-day rapid child application: £176.50
- Online overseas adult application: £101
- Online overseas child application: £65.50
- Postal overseas adult application: £112.50
- Postal overseas child application: £77.
How much will getting a UK passport cost from April 10?
- Adult online application: £94.50
- Child online application: £61.50
- Adult postal application: £107
- Child postal application: £74
- Premium 1-day rapid adult application: £222
- Premium 1-day rapid child application: £189
- Online overseas adult application: £108
- Online overseas child application: £70
- Postal overseas adult application: £120.50
- Postal overseas child application: £82.50.
Why is the price of passports rising?
According to the Home Office, the new fees will cover the cost of passport processing and consular services such as support for lost or stolen documents abroad.
A statement from the department said: ‘The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.
‘The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.’
It said the fees will also go towards the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.
HM Passport Office recommends holidaymakers renew their passports in good time.
How long does it take to renew a UK passport?
The Home Office says that last year, where no further information was required, 99.7% of standard applications from the UK were processed within three weeks.
It could however take longer if you’re applying from a different country.
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There are premium or one-week fast-track services available for those who need a passport urgently.
People can call the passport advice line if they need to travel urgently for medical treatment or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died.
Should I renew before the price goes up?
Travel experts such as ‘the man who pays his way’, Simon Calder, say yes — on two conditions.
You should renew before 10 April – the day of the increase – if your passport is due to expire by 25 November 2025, or if you plan to travel abroad before that date.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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